China's Role in Kenya's Debt Crisis

 The Voice of America published on 28 June 2024 an article titled "Deadly Kenya Protests Spurred by International Debt Woes" by Kate Bartlett.

Deadly protests in Kenya resulted following parliamentary action to pass legislation for raising taxes to pay for debt servicing.  Most of Kenya's debt is owed to international financial institutions and holders of Eurobonds.  China has provided Kenya more loans than any other single country but Nairobi's debt to Beijing is well below what it owes to all other sources of loans.  

Protests Break Out in Ethiopia's Amhara Region

 Ethiopia Insight published on 7 April 2023 a commentary titled "As Ethiopian Alliances Shift, Abiy's Anniversary Met by Amhara Protests and Violence" by Abel Tesfaye, Ethiopia Insight reporter.

Protests broke out across Amhara Region over a number of decisions by the Abiy Ahmed government, including its effort to disband regional militia forces and integrate them into the central government army.  

Large Protests Continue in Sudan

 Reuters published on 1 July 2022 an article titled "Eight Killed in Sudan as Protesters Rally on Uprising Anniversary."

Large crowds demonstrated against Sudan's military government on 30 June.  At least 8 protesters died, and the government ordered the internet shut down.  

Resumption of Riots in Sudan

 The Associated Press published on 30 June 2022 an article titled "Sudan Doctors: 5 People Killed in Mass Anti-coup Rallies" by Noha Elhennawy.

Large anti-government riots in Sudan resulted in 5 killed in the capital area and a major disruption of the internet.  

Putin's War May Contribute to Destabilizing Africa

 The Voice of America published on 6 May 2022 an article titled "UN - Destabilizing Impact of Russia-Ukraine War Feared in Africa" by Lisa Schlein.

UN officials warn that soaring prices of food, fuel, fertilizers, and other commodities due to the Russia-Ukraine war could have a profound destabilizing impact on Africa.

Pro-democracy Protests Resume in Sudan

 The Associated Press published on 6 April 2022 an article titled "Sudanese Take to the Streets in Anti-coup Protests: 1 Killed" by Samy Magdy.

After several weeks of relative quiet in Sudan, pro-democracy protests against the military coup d'etat last October have again broken out in several cities in Sudan.

Protests Continue in Sudan

 Aljazeera published on 30 December 2021 an article titled "Sudanese Security Forces Kill Four Anti-coup Protesters."

Anti-military protests continue in Sudan since the 25 October military coup d'etat.  Protesters demanding an end to military rule and creation of a civilian government show no sign of yielding.

Putting Sudan Back on Track

 The US Institute of Peace published on 9 December 2021 a commentary titled "Putting Sudan's Political Transition Back on Track" by Susan Stigant.

This commentary lays out steps for the United States to take in Sudan, emphasizing they need to be aligned with the ideals of democratic renewal.

Military Coup in Sudan Fails to Gain Traction

 The Washington Post published on 13 November 2021 an article titled "Sudanese Protesters Return to Streets as Military Consolidates Post-coup Grip" by Max Bearak.

As Sudan's military consolidates its power grab, hundreds of thousands of protesters take to the streets to oppose it.

US Efforts to Counter Sudan's Coup

 Foreign Affairs published on 11 November 2021 an article titled "Countering Sudan's Coup: The United States Faces a Crucial Test in Khartoum" by Alex de Waal.

The Biden administration's willingness to take action aimed at restoring the democratic transition in Sudan will be crucial in shaping political outcomes throughout the Horn of Africa and Red Sea Region.  

Sudan's Protest Movement Calls for Civilian Government Not Power-sharing

 The Washington Post published on 6 November 2021 an article titled "Sudan Activists Reject Power-sharing with Army, Call Strikes" by Fay Abuelgaasim and Samy Magdy.

Following the military coup d'etat in Sudan, the protest movement has now rejected the internationally backed effort to return to a power-sharing arrangement with the military and, instead, is calling for the direct establishment of civilian government.

Restoring Sudan's Democratic Transition

 The International Crisis Group (ICG) posted on 5 November 2021 an analysis titled "After the Coup, Restoring Sudan's Transition" by Jonas Horner.  

An ICG expert outlines de-escalatory steps that could reinstate the constitutional order and reset Sudan's transition.  

Massive Protests against Sudan's Military Power Grab

 Reuters published on 30 October 2021 an article titled "Two People Shot Dead during Huge Protests against Sudan Coup, Doctors Say" by Khalid Abdelaziz. 

Hundreds of thousands of Sudanese took to the streets across Sudan on 30 October and called for an end to military rule.  In spite of tight security imposed by the military, protestors marched in neighborhoods across Khartoum and other Sudanese cities.  

Have Sudan's Generals Overplayed Their Hand?

 World Politics Review published on 29 October 2021 an analysis titled "Sudan's Military Might Have Overplayed Its Hand" by Chris Olaoluwa Ogunmodede.

The author, citing the strong negative response from most of the international community to the power grab in Sudan by the military and large street protests planned for 30 October in Sudan, suggests that the leaders of the coup may have overplayed their hand and now face a situation that they will not be able to control.  

Sudan: World Bank Halts Operations, More Protests Planned

 Reuters published on 27 October 2021 an article titled "World Bank Halts Sudan Operations in Blow to Coup Leaders, Strike Calls Gain Support" by Khalid Abdelaziz.  

The World Bank has stopped disbursements for operations in Sudan in response to the military coup d'etat.  The generals who seized power have fired six Sudanese ambassadors, including the ambassadors to the US and China, for objecting to their power grab.  The prospect of more street protests and civil disobedience is growing in Sudan.  The only good news has been the release of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok to his home.  

Sudanese Generals Stiff US

 Foreign Policy posted on 26 October 2021 an analysis titled "Sudanese General Blew Off Final U.S. Effort to Avert Power Grab" by Robbie Gramer.  

The article describes the visit last week to Sudan by US Special Envoy Jeffrey Feltman and his efforts to avert  a power grab by Sudan's military.  Within hours of his departure, Sudanese General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan arrested civilian Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and seized power in Khartoum.

Can Street Protests Reverse Military Coup in Sudan?

 The Washington Post published on 26 October 2021 an article titled "Sudan's Revolutionaries Vow to Resist Military's Power Grab" by Max Bearak.

The article raises the question whether massive street protests can reverse the power grab by the military and restore the transition to civilian government.

The Washington Post also published an editorial on 26 October 2021 titled "The Coup in Sudan Represents a Direct Challenge for the U.S."

Sudan Edges toward Crisis

 Axios published on 18 October 2021 an article titled "U.S. Envoy to Visit Sudan as 'Most Dangerous' Crisis Intensifies" by Dave Lawler.

The US Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa is returning to Sudan in an effort to calm the waters of new protests calling for the reinstitution of a military government as counter protestors get ready to demonstrate in favor of the transition to civilian rule.  

Protest Art in Sudan

 Aljazeera published on 1 July 2021 an article titled "Art on the Front Lines of a Changing Sudan" by Antoaneta Rossi. 

The article provides examples of political protest art on the streets and in the back rooms of Khartoum, Sudan.   

Sudan's Revolution: Urban/Rural and Wheat/Sorghum Divide

The Rift Valley Institute published in February 2020 a study titled "Sudan's Grain Divide: A Revolution of Bread and Sorghum" by Edward Thomas and Magdi el Gizouli.

Street protests played an important part in bringing Omar al-Bashir's thirty-year rule to an end. This study argues that it was urban wheat-based bread-eaters, both the better off and poorer beneficiaries of National Congress Party rule, who took to the streets. Their grievances were also shared by the wider urban-based elite, but were distant from those of the rural peripheries, who mostly eat sorghum, and had arguably suffered and resisted the Bashir regime for much longer.